Ave Maria Graduation 2012

Graduate Mary Selzer gets a hug. Ave Maria University held its eighth commencement on Saturday morning in the Golisano Fieldhouse, with just the second class to go through four years at their new rural campus. Lance Shearer/Special to the Daily News

Former Florida Governor Bush listens as Ave Maria president Jim Towey nominates him for U.S. President. Ave Maria University held its eighth commencement on Saturday morning in the Golisano Fieldhouse, with just the second class to go through four years at their new rural campus. Lance Shearer/Special to the Daily News

President's Award winner Andrea Allphin receives her diploma from President Jim Towey. Ave Maria University held its eighth commencement on Saturday morning in the Golisano Fieldhouse, with just the second class to go through four years at their new rural campus. Lance Shearer/Special to the Daily News

Commencement speaker and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush speaks to the graduates and guests. Ave Maria University held its eighth commencement on Saturday morning in the Golisano Fieldhouse, with just the second class to go through four years at their new rural campus. Lance Shearer/Special to the Daily News

Commencement speaker and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush speaks to the graduates and guests. Ave Maria University held its eighth commencement on Saturday morning in the Golisano Fieldhouse, with just the second class to go through four years at their new rural campus. Lance Shearer/Special to the Daily News

Commencement speaker and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush speaks to the graduates and guests. Ave Maria University held its eighth commencement on Saturday morning in the Golisano Fieldhouse, with just the second class to go through four years at their new rural campus. Lance Shearer/Special to the Daily News

University founder Chancellor Tom Monaghan, left, goes over some notes with Ave Maria president Jim Towey before the ceremony. Ave Maria University held its eighth commencement on Saturday morning in the Golisano Fieldhouse, with just the second class to go through four years at their new rural campus. Lance Shearer/Special to the Daily News

Commencement speaker Jeb Bush, right, goes over some notes with Ave Maria president Jim Towey before the ceremony. Ave Maria University held its eighth commencement on Saturday morning in the Golisano Fieldhouse, with just the second class to go through four years at their new rural campus. Lance Shearer/Special to the Daily News

Commencement speaker Jeb Bush shares a moment with fellow honoree Bill Simon before the ceremony. Ave Maria University held its eighth commencement on Saturday morning in the Golisano Fieldhouse, with just the second class to go through four years at their new rural campus. Lance Shearer/Special to the Daily News

Graduate Patrick Gordon joins in applauding the support of the parents. Ave Maria University held its eighth commencement on Saturday morning in the Golisano Fieldhouse, with just the second class to go through four years at their new rural campus. Lance Shearer/Special to the Daily News

Commencement speaker Jeb Bush shares a moment with fellow honoree Bill Simon before the ceremony. Ave Maria University held its eighth commencement on Saturday morning in the Golisano Fieldhouse, with just the second class to go through four years at their new rural campus. Lance Shearer/Special to the Daily News

Ave Maria University held its eighth commencement on Saturday morning in the Golisano Fieldhouse, with just the second class to go through four years at their new rural campus. Lance Shearer/Special to the Daily News

Commencement speaker Jeb Bush meets the press before the ceremony. Ave Maria University held its eighth commencement on Saturday morning in the Golisano Fieldhouse, with just the second class to go through four years at their new rural campus. Lance Shearer/Special to the Daily News

Commencement speaker Jeb Bush meets the press before the ceremony. Ave Maria University held its eighth commencement on Saturday morning in the Golisano Fieldhouse, with just the second class to go through four years at their new rural campus. Lance Shearer/Special to the Daily News

Many vehicles carry pro-life messages. Ave Maria University held its eighth commencement on Saturday morning in the Golisano Fieldhouse, with just the second class to go through four years at their new rural campus. Lance Shearer/Special to the Daily News

Graduate Angela Mullally and sister Maureen get their picture taken with the Oratorio in the background. Ave Maria University held its eighth commencement on Saturday morning in the Golisano Fieldhouse, with just the second class to go through four years at their new rural campus. Lance Shearer/Special to the Daily News

Grads and newlyweds Karen and Steven DiLauro get their picture taken with the Oratorio in the background. Ave Maria University held its eighth commencement on Saturday morning in the Golisano Fieldhouse, with just the second class to go through four years at their new rural campus. Lance Shearer/Special to the Daily News

Getting a master's sash over a mortarboard proves a challenge for the philosophy department. Ave Maria University held its eighth commencement on Saturday morning in the Golisano Fieldhouse, with just the second class to go through four years at their new rural campus. Lance Shearer/Special to the Daily News

Dolores Fernandez receives her graduate sash from Prof. Douglas Bushman. Ave Maria University held its eighth commencement on Saturday morning in the Golisano Fieldhouse, with just the second class to go through four years at their new rural campus. Lance Shearer/Special to the Daily News

Graduate Patrick Gordon joins in applauding the support of the parents. Ave Maria University held its eighth commencement on Saturday morning in the Golisano Fieldhouse, with just the second class to go through four years at their new rural campus. Lance Shearer/Special to the Daily News

Ave Maria University held its eighth commencement on Saturday morning in the Golisano Fieldhouse, with just the second class to go through four years at their new rural campus. Lance Shearer/Special to the Daily News

Those on the dais, including Tom Monaghan, center, respond as Ave Maria president Jim Towey nominates Jeb Bush for U.S. President. Ave Maria University held its eighth commencement on Saturday morning in the Golisano Fieldhouse, with just the second class to go through four years at their new rural campus. Lance Shearer/Special to the Daily News

Graduate Katrina Cortez gets a hug from her friend Lauren Brouillet. Ave Maria University held its eighth commencement on Saturday morning in the Golisano Fieldhouse, with just the second class to go through four years at their new rural campus. Lance Shearer/Special to the Daily News

Grads Karen and Steven DiLauro got married the day before commencement. Ave Maria University held its eighth commencement on Saturday morning in the Golisano Fieldhouse, with just the second class to go through four years at their new rural campus. Lance Shearer/Special to the Daily News

Valedictorian Monica Waldstein gets congratulations from her dad, theology professor Michael Waldstein. Ave Maria University held its eighth commencement on Saturday morning in the Golisano Fieldhouse, with just the second class to go through four years at their new rural campus. Lance Shearer/Special to the Daily News

Dan Rodriguez and Vanessa Requena get a photo of themselves. Ave Maria University held its eighth commencement on Saturday morning in the Golisano Fieldhouse, with just the second class to go through four years at their new rural campus. Lance Shearer/Special to the Daily News

Amanda Marshall can't stay awake to watch her oldest brother graduate. Ave Maria University held its eighth commencement on Saturday morning in the Golisano Fieldhouse, with just the second class to go through four years at their new rural campus. Lance Shearer/Special to the Daily News

Graduate Kerry'Ann Anderson listens to the commencement address. Ave Maria University held its eighth commencement on Saturday morning in the Golisano Fieldhouse, with just the second class to go through four years at their new rural campus. Lance Shearer/Special to the Daily News

Graduate students in philosophy move their tassels, signifying their new status. Ave Maria University held its eighth commencement on Saturday morning in the Golisano Fieldhouse, with just the second class to go through four years at their new rural campus. Lance Shearer/Special to the Daily News

It's official. Graduates flip their tassels. Ave Maria University held its eighth commencement on Saturday morning in the Golisano Fieldhouse, with just the second class to go through four years at their new rural campus. Lance Shearer/Special to the Daily News

Commencement speaker and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush speaks to the graduates and guests. Ave Maria University held its eighth commencement on Saturday morning in the Golisano Fieldhouse, with just the second class to go through four years at their new rural campus. Lance Shearer/Special to the Daily News

Ave Maria University held its eighth commencement on Saturday morning in the Golisano Fieldhouse, with just the second class to go through four years at their new rural campus. Lance Shearer/Special to the Daily News

Ave Maria University held its eighth commencement on Saturday morning in the Golisano Fieldhouse, with just the second class to go through four years at their new rural campus. Lance Shearer/Special to the Daily News

Ave Maria University held its eighth commencement on Saturday morning in the Golisano Fieldhouse, with just the second class to go through four years at their new rural campus. Lance Shearer/Special to the Daily News

Former Florida Governor Bush speaks to students before the ceremony. Ave Maria University held its eighth commencement on Saturday morning in the Golisano Fieldhouse, with just the second class to go through four years at their new rural campus. Lance Shearer/Special to the Daily News